White House demolition debris tests show toxic metals at East Potomac Golf Links

Soil and debris from the demolition of the White House East Wing, dumped at East Potomac Golf Links, tested positive for toxic metals, the National Park Service said. An interim report also found chemicals in soil above laboratory reporting limits. The historic public course is a site President Donald Trump plans to renovate.

Representative image

The interim findings came from Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., a Virginia engineering firm. The report was requested by the park service. It said lead, chromium and other toxic metals were detected. It also listed PCBs, pesticides, petroleum byproducts and other chemicals in soil samples.

White House East Wing debris at East Potomac Golf Links

The park service began dumping East Wing debris on the course in October. The Jacobs report said more than 30,000 cubic yards of excavated soil reached the site by last month. East Potomac Golf Links is about 3 kilometres southeast of the White House. It is a 105-year-old course with a historic layout.

The nonprofit DC Preservation League sued the Trump administration over the dumping. The group argued the disposal was unlawful and could be hazardous. The lawsuit also challenged the Republican administrations takeover of the golf course. The league said it also applied to other courses in the city.

Trump administration plans for East Potomac Golf Links

The suit is one of several legal fights over changes to public spaces in Washington. It referred to renaming and shuttering the Kennedy Center. It also cited plans for a 250-foot-tall triumphal arch near the Lincoln Memorial. At the end of last year, preservationists also sued over the East Wing demolition.

That separate lawsuit sought to block demolition so a ballroom could be built. The project is slated to cost USD 400 million. Rebecca Miller, the Preservation Leagues executive director, said experts were still reviewing the engineering report. Rebecca Miller said the group was assessing compliance with federal preservation and environmental laws.

Debris from the East Wing demolition is so prevalent that it causes golfers to detour around piles of it, Miller said. "If you Google youll see lots of photos of golfers walking past it,\" she said in an interview. Miller said renovation plans would change the courses historic character and layout.

Lead and chromium test results at East Potomac Golf Links

An Interior Department spokesperson said in an email Tuesday that soil was tested many times. The email said multiple parties conducted the testing. The spokesperson said the work met legal standards. \"While the agency does not comment on litigation, this thorough process was followed to ensure the transfer was safe for the public,\" the email said.

Democracy Forward, which is co-representing the Preservation League, called for more review. It said questions remained about possible toxins dumped at East Potomac Park. \"Test results released by the government suggest the Defendants dumped a cocktail of contaminants - and despite indications of the refuses contents, they continued dumping it,\" the group said.

National Park Service response on East Potomac Golf Links

A federal judge also addressed potential course changes during the dispute. US District Court Judge Ana Reyes told the government on Monday not to cut down more than 10 trees without notice. Judge Reyes did not issue a temporary restraining order then. Judge Reyes warned against major work without prior notice.

Kevin Griess, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, spoke at Mondays hearing. Kevin Griess said there was no immediate plan to begin tree removal. Kevin Griess added that a safety assessment was underway. The report and court filings left the case focused on soil handling and future construction activity.

Trump, an avid golfer, also planned changes beyond East Potomac. Plans also included renovating a military golf course outside Washington. The course has been used by past presidents for decades. The Interior Department said it is committed to continuing the relationships we have built with the local golf communities to ensure these courses are safe, beautiful, open, affordable, enjoyable, accessible, and world-class for people living in and visiting the greatest capital city in the world.

With inputs from PTI